"Kesha has exhibited an awesome collegiate career at Oklahoma City and I would like to congratulate her on being named State Farm/WBCA NAIA Player of the Year," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "On behalf of the WBCA, I wish her all the best in the future."

A native of Oklahoma City, senior guard Watson found success close to home. In her junior season last year, she was named to the NAIA Kodak All-America Team. This season, Watson and the Stars captured the 2004 Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. Watson received the Hustle Award and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Watson leads her team in scoring averaging a solid 24.5 points per game. The Stars have lost only one game this season and begin play in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.

"State Farm is proud to honor an outstanding athlete such as Kesha Watson," said State Farm's Manager of Advertising and Sponsorships, Bobby Wilkinson. "We take great pride in supporting the future of women's sports."

The State Farm/WBCA Player of the Year Award is selected by the nine-member WBCA Player of the Year Committee chaired by Midland Lutheran College head coach Joanne Bracker, and consists of one WBCA-member coach from each of the eight WBCA NAIA Regions.

Watson will be formally presented her award this year in front of WBCA coaches and convention registrants at The State Farm Wade Trophy and State Farm/WBCA Players of the Year Luncheon, presented by Jostens on Sunday, April 4, at 12:30 p.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The State Farm/WBCA Players of the Year presentation is part of the 2004 WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women's Final Four in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.